July 15 In Season at the Market

Buying and eating in season produce is good for your nutrition and helps the economy, our seasonal updates are here to lend a hand.

Let us inspire you with just a few of the fresh, locally grown produce now in season at the South Australia Produce Market that you will find at your local fruit and veg store.

Cara Cara Oranges

As citrus season rolls on, we see Cara Cara oranges come through the markets. This glorious Riverland grown variety have stunning orange/pink coloured flesh that resembles a grapefruit. They’re deliciously aromatic and super juicy, with a sweet/tart flavour and are completely seedless.  Packed full of vitamin C, Cara Cara oranges can be enjoyed on their own as a healthy snack or used in delicious desserts, sorbets, salads or even margaritas!

Turnips

The turnip is a humble root vegetable which is perfect for all your rustic winter cooking. Milder than a beetroot, the turnip is packed with vitamin C, fibre and potassium. The roots, stems and leaves are all edible and you can use turnips any way you would use a potato.  Try them baked or boiled in stews, soups and stir-fries, or lightly steamed with some butter, salt or lemon juice for flavour.  Did you know that large turnips were used to carve Jack-O-Lanterns prior to the pumpkin! Also, larger turnips are tough and fed to animals if they can’t be cooked as the smaller the bulb, the sweeter it will taste.

Red Onion

These purplish-red onions are available all year round, and they are such a versatile vegetable that can be eaten raw in many salads, salsas and dips or sautéed in stir fry, fajitas, pastas and pizzas. You can also “pickle” red onion which is delicious on sandwiches and burgers.  The options are endless! The health benefits of the trusty red onion is also impressive with red onions being full of sulphur compounds that protect the body from ulcers and various cancers. They can also fight bacteria in the urinary tract.  Be sure to include these in your weekly shop to add flavour and zest to your weekly meals.

Jarrahdale Pumpkin

The Jarrahdale pumpkin is an heirloom variety of winter pumpkin bred in Australia with a blue-grey skin, named after the Western Australian town of Jarrahdale. The Jarrahdale closely resembles the Queensland blue as it cuts easily and has orange, sweet-tasting flesh.  Pumpkin can be enjoyed served both cold (cooked though) and warm and who doesn’t love a bowl of pumpkin soup or a delicious pumpkin risotto at this time of year to warm the belly.  Pumpkin puree mixed with any other vegetable is perfect for all the parents out there to get a sweet tasting and nutritious meal fed to your bub.

You’ll find the best produce inside your local independent fruit & veg stores. Locate your closest store here.And don’t forget to check out Pick a Local, Pick SA Facebook page for the latest news from your local fresh produce experts.